Swiss veteran smashed his countryman Roger Federer’s long-standing record in Basel with an impressive victory.
The back-end of 2024 has seen a handful of late and often unlikely surges from players many had considered all but done.
Roberto Bautista-Agut has put himself in the running to displace Rafael Nadal’s spot in the singles – a decision poor David Ferrer will have to weigh up soon.
Now, Stan Wawrinka has started seeing the results turn good.
In front of a buoyant home crowd at the Swiss indoors event in Basel, Wawrinka managed to rally past fellow veteran Adrian Mannarino in three sets – smashing both a personal and larger tennis record in the process.
Stan Wawrinka breaks Roger Federer record in Basel
An impressive win for the 39-year-old saw him break his dodgy record against the Frenchman, with his opening round victory stemming a run of three straight defeats to Mannarino.
With retirements swirling around at the moment, as one one-handed backhand fades out with Dominic Thiem’s retirement, another is keeping the flag flying.
A 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, victory in over saw Wawrinka became the oldest match winner in the Swiss Indoors tournament history, beating Roger Federer’s old record.
He told the ATP afterwards: “I always lost close matches [against Mannarino], but this was the first one I played at home, so I think it’s thanks to you [the crowd] that I won today.
“Today I was able to be more patient with myself and stay aggressive when I needed to be. These difficult wins in the opening rounds are the ones that make me the most happy.
“It’s a pleasure to come to Basel each year, it’s one of the reasons why I aim to keep going, so I want to thank the tournament for the invitation, for the chance to play in the main draw.”
Boris Becker was one onlooker who relished the occasion, giving an instant four-word reaction on X.
The German wrote: “Stan is the Man,” in a statement that for the time being cat be refuted!
- READ MORE: Stan Wawrinka shares his honest thoughts about Ben Shelton ahead of their last 16 match in Basel
Stan Wawrinka faces a tough test against Ben Shelton
A stern test awaits for the Swiss, with America’s Ben Shelton – who wasn’t born when Wawrinka turned professional – in the next round.
Having never met before, the odds are stacked against the veteran in this one.
However, Wawrinka has beaten the likes of Andrey Rublev, and Brandon Nakashima – who defeated Tommy Paul yesterday – recently in Stockholm, demonstrating that he’s not to be taken lightly.
While Shelton’s huge serve and blistering ball-striking will be a lot to weather, Wawrinka’s experience, coupled with the freedom he can play with in front of a home crowd, may well give his opponent a little more to think about.
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